Holly_Golightly
After Bala I really needed to finish this. Especially after Smiffy texted erlier in the week with ‘Only 3 days to go to prove you’re not a quitter’. Two DNFs in a row was not going to be a possibility.
But the lead up didn't go as planned. One thing I know is doing a tri when you've suffered a stomach bug for a few days before is not a good idea.
Stomach cramps. Couldn’t go aero on the bike or run due to the desperate need to shit...and a puncture didn't make my day easy. I considered the tri gods were conspiring against me, willing me to take up championship darts instead.
Best swim (if a little vicious) I've done, though I think the course was short. 1900m in 36.5 mins out the water.
The bike was going well, got up the big climb easily then heard a 'clunk,
clunk', - rear tyre was flat. Got off, changed it in ultra quick time,
then found out my new pump is a pile of shit. Then oxy, my night in yellow
lycra showed up, tried to pump the tyre up but couldn't. 'Ah, I've got
some CO2' says he. 'Ah, no I haven't. I left it at the airport in lanza'.
Then a lovely red Ka turned up and JD had some CO2. My saviour!
All in all, 20 mins to change.
From the third lap of the bike I had constant cramps. Going aero made my stomach made it feel like I was going to explode. So I pretty much stayed upright from the on.
Off the bike (shocking time but I have it on good authority it was a tricky course and people were at least 20 mins slower than they were at Bala). 20K run/walk. Running caused stabbing pains across the top of my stomach making me grimace, grit my teeth and mostly bawl my eyes out. I was managing a lap (just over 4 miles) in just over 50 mins which wasn't bad at my fast walking pace and a few little runs.
By the third lap I was really struggling (apologies to the supporters - I did appreciate you being there, even if my teary face didn't show it). One marshall confirmed that I was last as she cleared up her stuff, walked beside me, and jagoled me into running. Thankyou. You were great! She ran/walked with me all the way to the end, getting all the finished competitors along the way to cheer for me. It really lifted my spirits (and also made me cry again) as I realised I would make cut off.
And I did.